Peoria "Vision" Nears Completion

Back in year 2002, the "movers and shakers" in Peoria told me they had a vision that would heal all of Peoria's ills and make the City a prosperous regional draw. Part of the plan had been completed with the balance under construction or planned; the Gateway Center, the new restaurants on the river front, warehouses converted into condos, In-Play for kids entertainment, the new ball park, expansion of the Civic Center, an expanded Pere Marqette Hotel linked to the expanded Civic Center, the new RiverPlex, the expanded zoo, the new Riverfront Museum, the Caterpillar Visitors Center, the PPD Headquarters move to occupy the 33,000 sq. ft. former Lakeview Museum, the new Children's Playhouse to occupy the remodeled vacated PPD Pavilion, new parking lot at Glen Oak Park, a new Glen Oak School built partially on PPD Glen Oak Park, a new entrance to Glen Oak Park, new Harrison School and new and expanded public libraries.

Whew. Now if they can only get the money to finish this vision without driving more property taxpayers out of the County of Peoria. Those who move out know they can always come back to visit without paying for what I've long forecasted; rapidly escalating taxes, rising fees and new fees, shrinking services including security, Peoria's largest public school system that has long been under scrutiny by locals, parents and state officials, deteriorating and poverty stricken neighborhoods, some dominated by drug dealers, Big Al's, etc.

Peoria offers lot's of privately owned or privately supported tax paying positives from some of the best places to shop, good restaurants, entertainment of all kinds including an IMAX Theater, indoor tennis courts and ice rinks. Plus much more.

The vision will be completed by 2012, except for possibly the hotel. I hope the planners will pull it all together and make Peoria a true destination where people will come to spend and live.

In the meantime, the shares in the ball park that I paid $50,000 for in 1994 are still for sale. $29,000 these days will let you be more involved in the vision. These shares would make a nice Christmas gift and it would help make my Christmas a prosperous one. You could boast that you own part of a Minor League Ball Club. I stopped boasting when I was told we were moving from Meinen Field to the Industrial and Warehouse District. Beautiful field, though, but apparently lacking in enough paying attendance to make any return to date on my investment.

Yes, well paying attendance to all of Peoria's taxpayer supported enhancements would really make the "vision" come true. Plus a little bit more loosening of the wealthy private sectors purse strings to make their vision come true. Hint; the PRM.

Meanwhile, two interesting books to read over the holidays; David Callahan's, "Fortunes of Change", the rise of the Liberal Rich, and Michael Savage's, "Trickle up Poverty".